Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur asked not to be considered for selection in Scotland’s upcoming games against Belgium and Albania due to a niggling back concern.
The 30-year-old has not missed a minute of Palace’s first three Premier League games of the season but has been carrying an injury during that time that he has opted to rest during the September international window, which includes the Scots’ first Uefa Nations League game, away to Albania.
Scotland boss Alex McLeish confirmed that McArthur, who has won 32 caps for Scotland, had not retired from international duty but was instead focusing on preserving his fitness for the club campaign.
“I like James, I think he's a terrific player, and it's disappointing not to have him, but he has some issues in his body,” McLeish said.
In Pictures | Watford vs Crystal Palace | 26/08/2018
“You hear a lot of players saying that when they get to a certain age, they know exactly what they need in terms of their fitness, and he has had some issues with his back, and he felt at the moment he can't combine international football with the task of playing in the Premier League and cup games for Crystal Palace. So he has put his club first. They are the people who pay his wages.
"It's disappointing to lose him but it's his personal decision. He has not said he has hung up his boots for Scotland but that's the way he feels at the moment."
Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald are in McLeish’s squad but there is no place for West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass, looking to reestablish himself at club level under Manuel Pellegrini.
